BEST IN THE DESERT CONTINUES MOVING FORWARD BY ANNOUNCING THEIR FULL SLATE OF RACES FOR 2018

Posted on August 22, 2017

Some new dates, some new sponsors, a racer favorite returns and great racing adventures scheduled for 2018. It may still only be summer of 2017, but Best In The Desert is moving forward and illustrating once again why they are the premier and most popular desert racing organization with the announcement of their nine-event 2018 race schedule. Best In The Desert’s Operations Manager Donald Jackson, had this to say regarding next year’s schedule, “While we still have a lot of great racing remaining this year, we’re also really excited about the impressive schedule we’ve got lined up for our Best In The Desert racers to look forward to for next year.”

As is the tradition, the 2018 season kicks off January 5th and 6th in Parker, Arizona. However, this year’s event will have a great new name and meaning. The GMZ UTV Winter Nationals “Casey Folks” Parker 250 presented by Polariswill become a special memorial race to honor the name of beloved Best In The Desert founder, Casey Folks. The race will mark the first anniversary of Casey’s passing and introduce a new tradition. This “Showdown in the Desert” is open to all Motorcycle, Quad, and UTV classes only.

Following the season opener is the famed BlueWater Resort & Casino Parker 425 presented by Impact on February 1st thru 4th in Parker, Arizona. “The Legend Lives On” as the Car and Truck classes get their 2018 race season started in full force at this storied event along the majestic Colorado River. A special 1-day Pre-Fun Run for the race will be held on Sunday, January 7th.

Next on tap is the Polaris RZR Mint 400 presented by BFGoodrich Tires. Known as “The Great American Off-Road Race”, it takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 8 thru 11, 2018. Ever since this race was added to the Best In The Desert race schedule in 2013, “The Mint 400” has gained immensely in both popularity and race entries. This is a points race for the Car, Truck and UTV classes only.

Following The Mint 400, the Polaris RZR UTV World Championship returns to Laughlin, Nevada, on April 6th and 7th. Titled “A Desert Race in a Class of Its Own”, this hugely popular event is open to desert and short-course UTV classes as well as Motorcycles and Quads. No Car or Truck classes for this race. This event also includes a fun-filled Family Poker Run for UTVs only.

The Motion Pro Nevada 200 Trail Ride is a non-competitive event that takes place from April 13th to 15th. This is a no-points, Motorcycle only trail ride. “An Epic Motorcycle Off-Road Adventure” that is held in the picturesque mountains surrounding Caliente, Nevada. Call Best In The Desert for information on invitations

After a two-year hiatus, and back with a new sponsor, the racer favorite VT Construction Silver State 300 presented by Polaris makes it’s return on the Best In The Desert race schedule, May 3rd thru 6th. This point-to-point loop style race starts north of Alamo, Nevada and finishes at the “abandoned runway” just west of Caliente. “The American Adventure Continues” as the racecourse travels through incredibly scenic territory rich in Nevada’s cattle ranching and silver mining history. The race is open to all Best In The Desert classes and pre-race festivities will take place in Las Vegas. There will be a Pre-Fun Run for the race on April 21st and 22nd.

Following the traditional short summer break, Best In The Desert racing gets back on track with its flagship event, the famous General Tire “Vegas to Reno” presented by FOX. For 2018, the 22nd annual running of “The Longest Off-Road Race In The United States” takes place from August 15th to 18th. Starting north of Las Vegas and finishing just south of Reno, Nevada, this grueling 500-miles plus, point-to-point racing adventure is open to all classes.

For 2018, the Method Race Wheels “Laughlin Desert Classic” presented by Canidae Tap It moves into its new slot on Best In The Desert’s race calendar. This 2-day race format “Dual in the Desert” will take place October 11 thru 14. With a special 16-mile racecourse set up next to the playground of the Colorado River, the race is open to the Car and Truck classes only. The popular Family Poker Run event for UTVs also returns.

2018 will again close out the season with the Pahrump Nugget 250 presented by Polaris in Pahrump, Nevada, on November 29th to December 2nd. Competitors will “Race for the Gold” as they take on the challenging 250-mile single loop desert race course for their last crack at a possible season ending Class Championship. This is a points race for the Car, Truck, and UTV classes only. There will be a special 1-day Pre-Fun Run for the race on Wednesday, November 28th.

With the schedule set, the 2018 Best In The Desert race season will undoubtedly be another promising year for “The American Off-Road Racing Series” and all of its devoted racers. It’s not too early to start your planning now.

Schedule as of 8/1/17 (Subject to change, please check Best In The Desert website periodically)

About Best In The Desert
Best In The Desert is recognized as the largest professional desert off-road racing organization in North America holding multiple off-road desert races. The philosophy of the organization is to provide top quality, World Class Off-Road Racing events, and more importantly to make those events exciting, spectacular, fun, different, well paying, and most of all, affordable. Based on over three decades of experience, and on years of sponsoring and promoting successful local and national events, Best In The Desert has achieved new levels in the sport of off-road desert racing. Best In The Desert, along with its racers and sponsors, enjoys recognition and exposure that sets it apart as “The American Off-Road Racing Series”. Further information is available at: www.bitd.com.